Improvement in envelopes



E. RIDGE; Envelope.

No. 202,194. Patented April 9, 1878.

INVENTOR:

ATTORNEYS;

N-FETEHS, PHOT-UTHDGRAFHER, WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED 'swr'rrrns PATENT OFFICE.

ELMER RIDGE, OF FRANKFORD, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT lN ENVELOPES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 202, 19 1, dated April 9, 1878 application filed February 25, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER RIDGE, of Frankford, Philadelphia, in the county of Phlladelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and Improved Envelope, of which the following is a specification In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a top view of my improved envelope, for inclosing samples of flour, sugar, and other third-class mail-matter, the same being shown with flaps in open position. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same ready for use; Fig. 3, a vertical transverse section on line a: as, Fig. 1. Fig. 4. is a top view of the envelope as closed; and Figs. 5 and 6 are vertical, transverse, and horizontal sections of the envelope, respectively on lines y y and z 2, Fig. 4.. l

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to furnish an improved envelope for the purpose of transmitting samples of flour, sugar, tea, and other substances at third-class rates through the mails, in such a manner that the contents may be readily inspected by the postmaster.

The invention consists of an envelope with double end flaps, of which one forms the end of a lateral supplementary piece, gummed to the inside of the envelope, so that its flap is used for closing the envelope when the same is mailed,'while the other flap is inserted in the pocket formed back of the gummed piece, and used for closing the envelope after the same has been inspected by the postmaster.

Referring to the drawings, A represents an envelope of the usual construction, which is preferably sealed at one of its narrower sides, whose flap B is gummed for that purpose.

A supplementary piece, G,having a flap end,

O, is inserted into the open end of the envelope, and gummed to the interior of the same, its side flaps being closed, so as to' form an extension of the sealed flaps of the envelope A up to the folding flap B of the same.

The second flap G of interior piece G is also provided with a gummed edge, and used for the purpose of sealing the envelope when the sample of flour or similar article has been inserted. The first flap B is, during that time, folded or inserted into the pocket-shaped receptacle formed by the middle portion of the supplementary piece, and bythe main portion of the envelope proper, as shown in Fig. 5.

When the postmasterwishes to examine the contents of the envelope, he simply cuts the end flap of the supplementary piece near its folded edge at the line indicated by dots in Fig. 4. After the contents have been examined the envelope or bag is closed, to be sealed again by simply drawing the first flap from its pocket, and folding it over the end, and fastening it over the end flap G to the envelope, sealing thus the envelope securely, as before.

The envelope or bag can be made of paper, linen, or any other suitable material, and forms, by the addition of the supplementary piece and flap, a convenient envelope for samples of all kinds in powder form, as they may be readily inspected, as prescribed by law, in the manner indicated.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent The combination, with a common envelope, of a supplementary piece that has an end flap at the open end, and is gummed to the interior of the envelope, so as to form a pocket for the sealing-flap, while the flap of the supplementary piece is sealed, substantially as and for the purpose described.

- ELMER RIDGE.

Witnesses:

R. B. MERKINS, WM. HALL WAXLER. 

